Last updated: 3-25-26

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About me

I co-founded RBW (Rich Brilliant Willing) in 2007 (inc. 2009) and spent 17 years building it from a 3-person studio into an internationally recognized lighting manufacturer — well into 8-figures annual revenue, 60+ employees, global network of 50+ reps, and a 100,000 sq ft vertically integrated factory in the Hudson Valley.

I built the sales organization from zero, developed the specification-driven go-to-market strategy that grew hospitality and commercial segments to 80% of revenue, and led brand partnerships with Rockwell Group, Meyer Davis, and others. RBW products were installed at Google, Starbucks, Noma Copenhagen, Willis Tower, Ace Hotels, and the Burj al Arab. The company earned B Corp certification, six Cooper Hewitt National Design Award nominations, Forbes 30 Under 30, Inc. 5000, and recognition from the NYT, Wallpaper*, AD, Fast Company and many others.

I exited RBW in 2024 and have since been teaching lighting design at RISD, advising creative founders, and running StüdiGroup, a design community platform I founded in partnership with The Glass House and Columbia GSAPP.

Now exploring President/GM roles at design-driven companies in furniture, surfaces, interiors, and building products — where brand, operations, and culture all need to work together.

Founding Partner and Growth Leader at RBW
(2007-2024)

Co-founded an internationally recognized lighting design and manufacturing company. Led sales strategy, brand development, key partnerships, and organizational growth across a 17-year arc from startup to scale.

Revenue & Growth
– Built and led RBW’s national sales organization from zero to 60 independent reps and dealers across the US, Canada, Mexico, UK, Europe, Asia and AUS/NZ, driving revenue from zero to well into 8 figures annually

– Developed a specification-driven go-to-market strategy that grew hospitality and commercial office segments to represent 80% of total revenue

– Achieved Inc. 5000 recognition for fastest-growing companies, with 30%+ CAGR over a 3-year measurement period

– Co-founded and grew the business through the 2008 financial crisis, COVID-19 supply chain disruption, and shifting trade/tariff environments — without external equity funding

Brand & Strategic Partnerships
– Secured and managed marquee specification accounts including Google, Meta, Amazon, and Starbucks (national rollout), establishing RBW as a preferred decorative lighting vendor for Fortune 500 and global hospitality brands

– Cultivated key client relationships with Rockwell Group, Meyer Davis Studio, and Little Wing Lee that evolved into RBW's first external design collaborations — opening new product lines and expanding the brand's reach in high-end hospitality

– Oversaw brand presence at international venues including two editions of Euroluce at Salone del Mobile (Milan), ICFF (New York), London Design Festival, and Shanghai Design Week

– Cultivated relationships resulting in notable installations: Noma Copenhagen, Willis Tower, One World Trade Center, Burj al Arab, Ace Hotels.

Operations & Manufacturing
– Co-led the $6M acquisition and adaptive reuse of a 100,000 sq ft former IBM facility in Kingston, NY — consolidating design, manufacturing, and fulfillment under one roof and enabling a 330% production capacity increase

– Navigated manufacturing complexity including domestic assembly, overseas component sourcing, and custom fabrication, with approximately one-third of all products involving client-specific customization

– Participated in RIT Golisano Institute’s Industry 4.0 pilot program, advancing collaborative robotics, digital floor automation, and smart factory capabilities

Culture, Governance & Values
– Contributed to B Corp certification (score: 88.4) — the first for a North American decorative lighting manufacturer — integrating sustainability, governance, and community investment into operations

– Scaled the team from 3 co-founders to 60+ employees while maintaining a culture rooted in design integrity, craft, and collaboration

– Initiated, designed, and led all of RBW’s long-term strategic planning sessions and offsites

– Co-established the RBW Endowed Scholarship at RISD with a $100K gift supporting first-generation college students

Recognition
Forbes 30 Under 30 (Art & Design) • Cooper Hewitt National Design Awards (6x finalist, Product Design) • Inc. 5000 Fastest Growing Companies • Wallpaper* USA 300 • ICFF Best New Designer • I.D. Magazine Top 40 Designers • B Corp Certified

Education

Bachelor of Fine Arts, Furniture Design
Rhode Island School of Design (RISD), 2006

Design & Business Advisory (2025-Present)

Since exiting RBW in 2024, I've been advising creative founders, teaching lighting design at RISD, and running StüdiGroup — a design community platform I founded in partnership with The Glass House and Columbia GSAPP. Now pursuing President/GM roles at design-driven companies.

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Copyright 2026 Alex T. Williams. All rights reserved.

Alex T. Williams

Design Executive & Operator